Shields James R MD

I agree w the 1 stars. I was 13 weeks or more & high risk due to age & hx of miscarriages. The tech & Shields told me the ultrasound & heart beat looked ok. The tech’s manner was at first bright & positive until the MD came into the room (late). The ultrasound was very painful — I almost asked her to stop — it really felt like she was hurting me. She said she had to get the baby to turn over so they could see all his limbs & see him moving (he was). Everything about Shields’ manner conveyed that something was wrong (facial expression, tone of voice), & the tech’s attitude changed as well to much more serious. I was confused by the mixed signals so I kept asking if everything was ok — I wanted to know either way. He said quietly & not really looking at me, «Its ok.» I then asked about prenatals & other vitamins. He said, «It doesn’t matter.» Every question I asked, same response, «doesn’t matter» — he was ok w me taking or not taking anything. Later I learned I may have been overdosing on certain vitamins (which can be toxic). I knew something was off, but my husband was so excited that we started announcing the pregnancy to everyone. 3 days later, the baby still had a heartbeat. But at 16 weeks, there was no heartbeat. The MDs agreed that the baby had died around week 14, the week after I saw Shields. The fetus tested normal — no chromosomal issues. Since then I have had every test imaginable to detect the problem, & the MDs hav found no problem w me or my uterus. I understand there r many 5 stars here. They way I explain that is that perhaps there is a certain «type of patient» that doesn’t thrive in Shields’ office (older women?), & a certain type that does (twins, etc?). Regardless, I was very unsettled by my visit — even before the baby died, and even my husband (an optimist) admitted that the experience was odd, & that it was very peculiar how Shields didn’t care whether or not I was taking vitamins or anything else, and that he offered no explanation as to why he was giving that advice. If I could do it over, I would go somewhere else, and advise older women to be sure they receive care from someone who isn’t biased against women in their 40s having babies — I encountered this negative bias a LOT (mine was unplanned and I still got attitude — an attitude of indifference at best, negative judgment at worst). I dont know if that was happening here, but something weird was happening.

Dr. Shields is not only the best perinatologist I’ve ever been to, he’s the best doctor I’ve ever been to. He really takes time to explain everything in detail and speaks to you like a partner in care, there is no question you can’t ask and get a kind and well informed response on. Not only does he always put me at ease during my appointments but he gave me his cellphone number for any questions at anytime, I have like that is so unique, not only is he a specialist and certainly must be busy he also deals with nervous first time moms like myself. I’ve text him on a few occasions and he always got right back to me with an answer or a plan and never hurries off the phone, and he is not just giving out his number to be nice he encourages these calls. Due to some complications in my pregnancy I’m going to have to continue my care at UCLA, not only was he instrumental in connecting me with a great doctor there and helping me feel comfortable during the transition, he also still wants me to call or text him after all my appointments to follow up and follow along with the pregnancy. It’s tough when your baby is sick or things are not ideal but I take so much comfort in his amazing care, I trust him with my unborn daughter, and that’s saying a lot! Look no further, you’ve found the right doctor.

From the moment we walked through their doors, Dr Shield and his staff have proven to be caring, attentive, knowledgable, and very seasoned. We are expecting two little girls, and now 31 weeks along. He and his staff were sure to remember our girls names, and treat them and us with care and concern. Any questions I had, Dr Shields has answered, and each time we visit the office, we leave feeling confident that we are in good hands. I like that Dr Shields is not too fussy, nor too lax… and that he treats our pregnancy with just the right amount of care. Each of our appointments are on time, and they are very thorough/​detailed. It is refreshing to find a Doc and staff who do not treat you like another number. Thank God for the office also being so close to my office in Westlake Village. To top it all off, the convenience of his location is a big plus!

Dr. James R. Shields office moved to 7301 Medical Center Drive Suite 206 West Hills Like K.R., I don’t understand the other reviews I had a completely different experience. Dr. James R. Shields is a phenomenal doctor. I saw him throughout my pregnancy and looked forward to every visit. He carefully explained every measurement he took and each stage the baby was going through. He knew more about my baby than my OBGYN. He took time to talk to my husband about any concerns he had since this was our first. Sara, the ultrasound tech is warm, kind and funny. We felt very comfortable with her. The receptionist was always friendly and welcoming. I had to switch my insurance policy and the process was a non issue. I highly recommend Dr. Shields and his staff to anyone.

I don’t understand these other reviews for Dr. Shields. He is a phenomena and knowledgable perinatologist, and we are lucky to have had his guidance on our pregnancy.
I’m sure it is difficult to find out your child has birth defects, so the other reviews may make sense in an angry regard — blaming the person that has to tell you that tough news.
Dr. Shields has top of the line technology, a friendly staff, and is a very knowledgeable Doctor. He was able to predict our due date, weight, and length of baby EXACTLY. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr Shields as a referral to anyone.

I agree, very poor bed side manner. Receptionist was very rude, and short. He seemed to lack compassion and care. Told me very little about a condition he thought my baby could have, trisomy 18 a very very serious condition most babies don’t even make to term he said, and most die within hours of birth. When I asked about being sure about it and possibly doing an amnio if blood test came back positive, he discouraged me from doing so, saying there is a risk of miscarriage w/​an amnio. WTF!!! Then what am I supposed to do sit and wait!!! My baby showed one of the many markers of trisomy 18 which was Chloroid Plexus Cyst, which is basically fluid in the brain, which I later found is considered isolated and not related to Trisomy 18 if the baby shows no other signs, which he did not. CPC is also somewhat common, and does not cause birth defects oror will harm the baby in anyway, lots of adults have them and they go undetected for years. He spoke as if my baby had already had Trisomy 18 w/​o having my blood test results back, and offered me genetic counseling. I left feeling very distressed and terrified to say the least. Upon doing some research on he Internet I found the condition is more normal than he lead me to believe. He said it was normal in 3% of babies, which is not true. I will never go back to him, and I encourage people if referred to him to find someone else. He was terrible.

Terrible staff. Rude and abrupt. Dr. Shields has a poor bed side manner and always seemed cold. I felt like his answers were canned responses and not true answers to my question. Iam saving the most terrifying part for last. HE TOTALLY MISSED MY DAUGHTER’S BIRTH DEFECT!!! Before you ask, my daugher and I both presented 3 out of the 4 classic symptoms of her birth defect. He should have known to put them together and give me a heads up on what was to come. Shame on you Dr. Shields. Thank you Dr. Wong for saving Julia’s life.
Dana Frank, mother of Julia Childers born May 5, 2008

Great doctor, but the first time I called, his receptionist was a little abrupt. Just one of those things, I guess.